Mottled is not just the gene responsible for white feather tips; it is also a recognized variety by both the APA and ABA in other breeds. While mottling describes the genetic that produces white-tipped feathers, it does not specify the ideal type, structure, or other pattern-specific characteristics. It is p

Satins

Satins are a project breed that we hope will be accepted one day, but they are not something we plan to keep or breed. They are typically smooth-feathered and may carry the silkie feathering gene. While we do appreciate our Satins, we are working to remove them entirely from our Mottled pen by 2027. Our goal is to focus solely on Silkies.

Project Variety

Mottled is a project variety for Silkies, and at Her Chickies, we hope to one day contribute to their approval by the American Bantam Association. Project varieties are colors that have not been accepted by the APA and/or ABA, but are working to acceptance. It can take over 5 years for a variety to be accepted! 

The Mottled we are working with follows the guidelines set by the American Poultry Association (APA) and American Bantam Association (ABA) in the Standard of Perfection (SOP). At Her Chickies, we breed Mottled—not Exchequer, "hyper-mottled," or any other variations.

Mottled is not just the gene responsible for white feather tips; it is also a recognized variety by both the APA and ABA in other breeds. While mottling describes the genetic that produces white-tipped feathers, it does not specify the ideal type, structure, or other pattern-specific characteristics. It is important to properly refer to Mottled as Mottled when speaking about Mottled and not mottled or mottling.

The Transformation

Our Mottled chicks typically hatch with the standard mottled down (black backs with yellow bellies and faces), but the white tips are very minimal as they grow and in some cases, the white markings will completely disappear, but eventually reappear. 

The transformation begins when they go through their first adult molt, which usually happens around the age of one year. During this molt, the feathers gradually start to show more white tips. The process is slow and may take some time to fully develop, but by the end of the molt, you’ll begin to see the beautiful contrast of black base feathers with the white-tipped markings that are characteristic to the Mottled variety.

White Skin

 While Silkies are meant to carry the fibromelanosis gene, which results in black skin and meat, the introduction of the mottling gene—along with the necessary outcrossing to establish it—has led to many Mottled Silkies and Satins developing white skin. In some cases, they may still exhibit dark beaks, faces, and legs.

We have been consistently working to improve skin color along with many other important characteristics.

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